Teen Education

High School – Grades 9-12

This class will focus on the books of the New Testament, starting with the book of Romans and proceeding through Revelation. We will parallel these epistles to the gospels and Acts. Emphasis for teens will be knowledge and application of the Word. The young men and women will be challenged to become leaders, to live counter-culture, and to relate with family and friends with love, compassion, and respect. We will together examine how 2000-year-old principles are vitally relevant to this day. Teacher: Grant Martinez

Senior High – Grades 9-12

This is a time the youth get together on a weekly basis to hang out, have fun, and experience freedom in Christian friendships! The idea behind youth night is to promote unity, fellowship, and outreach. To accommodate these goals, we sit and have a meal together, talk and catch up on what’s happening in each other’s lives, sing songs and play instruments, and engage in sports activities (like basketball on our new hoop!) and any number of games. Youth are encouraged to be creative with our time and have a big role in deciding the events of the night. Also, we have a short devotional, usually from Psalms or Proverbs, where we read the text and meditate on its meaning. The teens can ask questions and voice any struggles they’re facing. We pray for each other to end our devotional time. Many laughs and memories are shared during the fellowship of youth night! Everyone is encouraged to bring their friends. Coordinators: Grant Martinez

Junior High – Grades 6-8

The purpose of Jr. High Youth Night is mainly fellowship and spiritual “nourishment” through a short devotional and worship. One of the objectives is also to encourage young people to think and move as a group rather than as individuals only. They will be guided into thinking/working as a family unit, that is, as a church. Also, the adult(s) seek to model Christ-like relating and servant leadership in such a way as to bring glory to God and, with the help of the Lord, to inspire the students to love and care for one another. As issues arise, we provide opportunities for these boys and girls to express themselves or to talk and pray with someone. Junior High Night is not “just to keep kids out of trouble” but to give them a chance to make healthy connections with peers and adults with the hope that it will draw them closer primarily to Jesus and each other! Finally, we hope, to form an outreach program so as to put into practice Jesus’ teachings about reaching the lost and making disciples. Coordinator: Grant Martinez

FROM PASTOR RUBEN When fellow soldiers have been in battle together they develop deep friendships and appreciation for each other. They might have gone through some rough times between themselves but when it is all said and done, they will protect and love each other for the rest of their lives. Well, when fellow believers work together for the Kingdom of God, deep and lasting friendships also develop, along with an appreciation that is most encouraging when spiritual battles rage. Of course, a tricky part is that spiritual battles sometimes are not felt very strongly but raging they are! As the pastor I not only feel the bullets and rockets but also the great encouragement as I work along those serving here at Living Word. And this day, we are particularly focusing on those who are serving our members the Word of God in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I am so grateful for those who are and have served faithfully. May our Lord enrich your knowledge of Himself since to know Him is eternal life! (John 17:3). Of even greater encouragement is the truth that our Lord God has revealed to us what is most important in His Word. Without the Lord’s self-disclosure, revelation of Himself, we would be left to our limited and fallen minds and emotions. We would vainly try and try and try to figure out life without any hope! But praise be to His gracious name that He has given to us the abiding, crucial, and living word of God that is, “…active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). And through this very word also, we are shown that God is love (1 John 4:8-10), and that He is coming back for us so that we can live with Him forever! (John 14:1-3). All this revelation from our Loving Lord, from the earliest times, has been meant to be communicated to future generations, (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). So to teach the Bible is a great responsibility and privilege that we take very seriously here at Living Word. We praise our Lord for giving us everything we need for “…life and godliness,” (2Peter 1:3). Blessings!!